Tuesday, March 19, 2013

"We hold these truths tobe self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by theirCreator with certain unalienable Rights, that amongthese are Life, Liberty andthe pursuit of Happiness." - The Declaration of Independence of the ThirteenColonies.

Rights. Self-evident. Unalienable. Endowed by their Creator. Think about the above statement and those words. Dwell upon it.

When you read the word 'unalienable' you first need to understand what it meant in 1776, just like "well regulated" in the Second Amendment isn't always fully understood today. The first step can be found in the manner it was pronounced: un-a-lien-able.

Impossible. IMPOSSIBLE to take away or give up... is your mind now really contemplating what a Right truly is?

From time to time I hear statements and comments from people who, at first blush, speak about unalienable Rights and then, sometimes in the same breath, act as though Rights are privileges.

As a very recent example, I was taken aback by a statement from Dr Benjamin Carson on Glen Beck recently. When he was asked if you 'should be allowed to own a semi-automatic weapon?' he responded "It depends on where you live". I almost fell out of my chair. <see video: http://youtu.be/WAiliwfeClo >

What shocked me was how could a man, who I've heard speak of unalienable Rights and a man who was correct on so many other things, be so completely off base on this? What sort of perverse thought process could, in one instance quote The Declaration of Independence and go so far as to call the referenced Creator God (which I agree with) and then go on to say that man or group of them (ie. a state legislative body) could overrule the Rights given to a person by God Himself simply because that person chose to live in an urban environment.

It's beyond ridiculous. Absurd, ludicrous... insane even. I simply cannot wrap my mind around such a deranged thought process. Now whether or not you believe that The Creator is God, your parents, Nature, Gaia, Buddha, Mohammad or who or what ever, the Rights exist, and in fact PRE DATE the United States government and the Constitution (as evidenced in the DOI and the BOR).

How can a person claim one thing and then go 180 degrees against it? I cannot fathom such logic.. or lack there of and it certainly isn't limited to Dr Carson, I simply use him as the most recent example and I am not purposefully singling him out, if you follow my articles you know this.

This is the same logic used in states where carry permits/licenses are given out on a "may issue" basis. As if your beating heart wasn't enough evidence you have something valuable to protect. As if the state was a master over the People and had the (legitimate) authority to even pretend to have the power to grant you the Right of self defense. Anything that is granted is a privilege, not a Right. The last time I checked, these united States of America were still bound together as a Constitutional Republic.

Some people consider me a single issue person (or voter). I certainly am not, but I can see how someone would think I might be. For me, the litmus test of a persons thought process, or what is going on in their mind, can be surmised by their position on the Right to self defense. RKBA. Because if they cannot grasp something as simple and fundamental as the Right to self defense, they don't have the mental or logical capabilities to properly approach any other issue.

If someone cannot grasp the most basic principle of freedom and liberty, no matter if they happen to be correct on other issues, they do not possess the ability to judge for themselves if there is anything the state cannot do, or in this case anything the state can prevent you from doing or take away from you. Such a thought process is completely antithetical to a Constitutional Republic and to freedom and liberty.

Your Rights are not predicated on anything. You have them and no matter what vile piece of legislation is passed, anything that restricts your Right to self defense is both violative of the Laws of The Creator and the Constitution of these united States of America.

I leave you with this:

"You have Rights antecedent to all earthly governments: Rights, that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; Rights, derived from the Great Legislator of the universe." - John Adams

In Liberty,
Prometheus
www.facebook.com/GunReviews

Authors note: You will find in my writings that when I refer to a persons Rights, in this article or others, I capitalize the letter "r". This is not by accident and it is not something I invented. When you read through the history of the Founding Fathers and other great men and women throughout history, they too capitalize the word Right as well. Right, used in such a context, conveys so much more than how the word is commonly used today. I urge my readers to research the word, it's history and it's deep meaning and fully appreciate the difference between a Right and a Privilege.

Friday, March 15, 2013

There is an effort underway that spans multiple states and multiple court cases to force all state governments to respect the citizens rights to self-defense. In 2010 attorney Alan Gura filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court against several New York based defendants for denying NY citizens their right to obtain conceal carry permits.

While 49 states have concealed carry laws on their books, many are "may issue" states vs. "shall issue" states. "May issue" states can deny a citizen a permit for any number of arbitrary reasons as the state has no legal obligation to issue a permit. "Shall issue" states must issue a permit if an application is filed unless the applicant is barred from owning firearm under federal law.

20 states along with the CATO and others have filed Amici Curiae (friends of the court) briefs to urge the Supreme Court of the United States hear Mr. Gura's lawsuit (Kachalsky, et al v. Cacase, et al). The NRA and the Firearms Policy Coalition also filed briefs, however it is thought that the 20 states coming on board may be enough to have the case heard by the SCOTUS.

The importance of winning this case at the SCOTUS level can not be over stated. A favorable ruling would force May Issue states such as NY and California to issue permits to all citizens who file applications that are legally able to own a firearm.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

From coast to coast sheriffs are coming under attack for simply following the Constitution. The sheriff is the highest law enforcement officialin a county. Period. Higher than the state police and higher than any federal agent from any federal agency. As an elected official they are ourlast line of defense against a tyrannical government.

In Colorado, Sheriffs who are vocal about honoring their Oaths to the Constitution are being threatened... by legislators.

Sheriff Terry Maketa, of El Paso County, has received a message from the Sheriffs Association of Colorado threatening that the democrat leadership in the Colorado house may alter the pay of sheriffs if they vocally speak out about gun control.

Sheriff Maketa said "it borders on extortion", "blackmail" and "attempting to influence a public official". It is absolutely outrageous to think that something like this could happen in America, it is blatant corruption. Sheriff Maketa summed it up this way "You will obey or you will pay".

I would suggest that if sheriffs salaries are adversely affected, residents of counties in Colorado make up that difference out of their own pockets. Sheriffs who uphold their Oaths MUST BE SUPPORTED.

I urge each of you to reach out to your local sheriff, no matter where you live, and let them know you expect them to honor their Oaths. You should also make sure you tell them you will support them, one hundred percent and in any way, when they honor their Oath.

Monday, March 11, 2013

We've probably all heard the term "carrying your own water", but have you actually stopped and considered what it means?

Everyone likes to claim they have Rights, most people at least. Do they actually have them? Like the first quote, I'm sure most of you have also heard this one: "You only have those Rights which you are willing to defend, with force if necessary."

In the fight for our Rights, our Freedom and our Liberty, are you actually carrying 'your own water'? Or are you relying on the tireless efforts of a small minority to do such simple and menial tasks as writing a letter or making a phone call?

When the February 8th rally came, for example, did you try your best to get off of work? Did you say it was 'too cold'? Did you say "maybe the next one"? How much would it have actually cost you to show up for those two hours?

Many say they will fight for their Rights. I'm not so sure. In Indianapolis, one of the nation wide rallies was held on the same day as the famous Indy 500 gun show. Thousands packed the show. Hundreds waited 3+ hours in the cold... just to get inside.

Just a few miles away, perhaps a 10 minute drive if you made all the lights, 1,000 Patriots stood outside. Not for the privilege of getting peruse generally overpriced merchandise being sold to panic buyers, they stood outside for one reason- To DEMAND their Rights not be ignored.

To be fair, I'm sure not everyone at that show knew about the rally. However many did... in fact, virtually every vendor there had been notified and asked to put a flier on their table, informing people of the nation wide rally that Saturday.

It's ironic that in NY 5,000 people turned out at their State Capital as opposed to 1,000 in Indiana.. especially when attendance at the show, less than 10 minutes away, exceeded 5,000.

Freedom isn't free. It's become a cheap catch phrase in the US and inside these borders, not many want to pay the cost of a tank of gasoline for theirs. Freedom is being lost at an alarming rate in America and it's because the vast majority aren't willing to pay anything to keep it. People say they will fight, but when they won't even give up 2 hours of their time now, do we really expect them to put their lives on the line later, if need be?

Will you carry your water? Going forward we must work together, every single one us must work, relentless, to defend their Rights. If you won't do it yourself, how can you expect others to do it for you?

I never point out a problem without offering solutions. One of those is to make sure you are informed and have the information to inform your friends, family and coworkers. Yes, your coworkers too. You don't have to beat them over the head with it, but if you don't occasionally tell them, who will?

Speaking of beating people up, do you know a fellow gun owner how is letting you carry their water? Call them out on it. Make sure you let them know how deplorable, selfish and cowardly their inaction is.

Stay connected with us as we fight, together, for Freedom and Liberty.